Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-01-20

previous years, and they have been of a much
better class, with fewer needy ones among them.
FISHERIES.
The disbursements of the Commissioners Of
Fisheries, for 1885, were Sl2 294 so, and for 1885,
81, 032 3d. and there is remaining on hand bal
ance of S!,274.90. New buildings have been
erected, and many substantial and needed inn
provements made The distribution of fish fry
to the different localities of the state the past
year was the largest Of any since the institution
has been IN existence. The Commissioners IN
their biennial report. recommended that the APP
preparation of $40 per annum be made per-
manent. They also make recommendations in
relation to the protection OF fish, to which invite
your attention..
Pursuant to the requirements of chapter 49,
Laws of 1885, | appointed three fish wardens
This law contained provisions for protecting the
fish supply in Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and
Green Bay.
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
In the reorganization of this Bureau, in 1885
the offices OF Deputy Commissioner, Factory In
spector, and clerk were added The expenses
of the Bureau, up to the close of the biennial
period, were S12,4I0S5 exclusive of printing. The
report OF the Commissioner contains the laws en-
acted in the interest of labor, history Of the
recent strikes and industrial disturbances, includ
Ing the eight-hour movement in Wisconsin, and
large amount of valuable information on labor
subjects generally, together with statistical in
formation relating to the trades and to manu-
featuring.
NEW ORLEANS EXPOSITION.
The Commissioner appointed to represent the
State of Wisconsin at the New Orleans Exposition
in 1884 has made his final report, and out of the
appropriation made by the Legislature to defray
the expenses of the Wisconsin Exhibit he has re-
turned to the Treasury the sum of s., 043.73. The
law making this appropriation made no provision
for any compensation for the Commissioner, pro-
V1dlng for expenses only, and should it seem
proper to compensate him for his services, the
Legislature should make the necessary provision
therefor. The exhibit made by the State was
most creditable one, and although made under
adverse circumstances, the fact that Wisconsin
secured the highest number of awards shows that
Mr.. Holton performed his duties with sagacity
and untiring efforts, and that he thoroughly ap-
precated the the important interests Of the State.
EDUCATION.
The high standing the State Of Wisconsin
now has in all branches of industry is largely
due to the liberal spirit and good judgment with
which the people support the educational system
CT the State The proportion of persons who
side mostly in the large cities. The common
schools are eagerly sought, and the percentage of
attendance is equal to that of any State in the
Union.
There was collected by the State, and distribu-
ted to counties for educational purposes, in 1885,
$210, $3.50 and in 1886, $500, 0e399 OF this last
amount, S488, 1861 was derived from the
mill tax provided by the last Legislature.
would call your attention to the valuable re-
port OF the Superintendent of Public Instruction,
and the notifications Of the laws recommended
by him. In the distribution of the moneys to
countess the law, in one section, requires the
school districts to raise an amount equal to that
they are, apparently, required to raise but one
half the amount apportioned before being entitled
to receive the State money. These differences in
the law should be harmonized.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN.
The University of Wisconsin, believe has
made commendable progress during the past two
years. The attendance has increased, and the
work of rebuilding the needed structures, for
which the Legislature at its last session made pro-
vision, has progressed in a very substantial man.
ner. am pleased to note in this connection, the
practical utility and Importance of the technical
instruction of the University, as shown by the
large amount of work done upon the new build
ngs by the faculty and students in the mechan-
icaI departments. These departments demonstrate
the worth of practical education in the useful
arts, and are being moro highly appreciated year
by year.
The Agricultural Experiment Station has
proven to be of great va lue to the agricultural
interests of the State, and our farmers are eager
" avaing themselves of the useful and practical
information disseminated through its bulletins.
The Agricultural department adopted q short
course in agriculture to meet need for such in
structon, and while there is no doubt of the value
of this course sufficient time has not elapSed to
demonstrate whether it will prove successful
AGRICULTURE.
Agriculture is beyond question: the leading in&
dustry of State, with more capital invested
and more labor employ ed tdan all other interests
combined; and it deserves and should receive
most enerouS consideration. Prosperity in this
industry brings prosperity to all others. There
have Been various propositions presented hereto
fore in the interest of agriculture and its coordi-
nate branches. During the session Of 1885, a bill
was introduced providing for a separate Agricul
tural College. At that lime the farmers Of the
State were vided N opinion as to the necessity
for such an institu ion, and the bill failed to re-
ce We The approval of the Legislature.
The dairy interests OF Wisconsin have grown to
SUI h magnitude and of such vaS5 import ance
to the roSpenty Of the people that ample pro
te ton should be affoi ced them. The last Legis.
latu passed a law similar to til. { of the State Of
, New YorB, protecting the dairf interest against
the S lie of imitation butter. The New York law
has been decided unconstitutional by The courts
If that State, and, while no test of the conStitu-
tionalty OF our law has been made in the courts
of Wisconsin, | am of the opinion that the law
should be so changed 0 afford the desired pro-
Election, and remove all doub.S as to its beng in
conf ct with the constitution.
The Legislature of 1885 made provisions for
ROLLING Farmers Institutes, by a yearly appro-
priaton of S., 900, to defray expenses. There can
be no DOUBT that the Institutes have bsen produ:-
tive of good results, and the increased inter st
taken in them the past year is the lest evidence
of the appreciation in which they are held. The
results of the experience of the leading fai mers
and dairymen are given at these Institutes to
those of our farmers who are sufficiently inter
ested in their calling to avail themselves of them
and the informa ton gained by the discussions az
these meetings has proven of great practical
benefit would recommend an increase of the
appropriation for this purpose.
The office of State Veterinarian, whose duty
should be to investigate infectious and conta
diseases of domestic animals, was created by the
last Legislature. Under this law I appointed V
T. Atkinson, V. S., of Milwaukee, and his labors
cation of CHAMBERS, which has existed among the
horses in many parts of the State. AS the law
now stands it is defective in several particulars
and should be so amended as to accomplish the
objects for which it is intended. The expenses
of this officer and the amounts paid the owners
for diseased horses slaughtered aggregated the
sum Of Sc, 03772
INSURANCE.
am induced to believe that the insurance laws
might be modified to some extent, as to be more
beneficial to tie business interests of the State.
The rate of insurance seems to be increasing
throlIg hout the State, while the insurance COM
panies claim that they making no profits upon
their business AS the law stands In case OF
total loss, the insurance company must pay the
full amount for which the property is insured,
without regard to its value. This law has created
a tendency 60 oyer-insurance, and this over-insur
ance has in many cases, no doubt, been the cause
OF the destruction of the property by fire, either
by engendering feeling of carelcssness or by
direct incendiarism. Could some law be so
trained as TO do away with this tendency, and at
the time not relieve the insurance CON-
panieS fr- m the overZealouS acts OF 5heir agents
~ insurlng property for more than two thirds of
its value, believe it would work reduction of
the rates of insurance, and be of great value to,
The people. To secure proper care, the owner
SHOULD have some interest in the property that
would not e made good to him in case of loss.
The owner should not he perr1itred Fl recover